Kelsea Ballerini addressed a “hot topic” in the weeks ahead of her fifth studio album’s debut.

Ballerini hosted a Q&A session that she streamed live on Instagram on Wednesday evening (October 9). During that livestream, Ballerini responded to “a hot topic,” referring to a quickly-noticed omission from the Patterns track list. She previously shared a sneak peek of “To The Men That Love Women After Heartbreak” on TikTok, and played the unreleased ballad on the historic Grand Ole Opry stage with songwriters Karen Fairchild and Hillary Lindsey. Ballerini’s fans were eager for the song to release; however, it did not appear on the Patterns track list when the singer-songwriter announced it in late August.

Patterns
Sorry Mom
Baggage
First Rodeo
Nothing Really Matters
How Much Do You Love Me
Two Things
We Broke Up
Wait!
Beg For Your Love
Deep
Cowboys Cry Too, with Noah Kahan
I Would, Would You
This Time Last Year
Did You Make It Home? (Outro)

Still, Ballerini assured Instagram users in her live-streamed Q&A that she hasn’t forgotten about the heartfelt ballad.

“This is a hot topic. ‘To The Men That Love Women After Heartbreak.’ It is not on the record [Patterns],” Ballerini said. “However, I had no idea how much that song, that little clip that I played on the TikTok, meant to a lot of people. So, I’m not gonna do you dirty. I definitely got you. I definitely got you. But it’s not on the record. But I wouldn’t do you like that.”

It wasn’t immediately clear when “To The Men That Love Heartbreak” might make its official debut; however, Ballerini confirmed she’ll release one more song before her album arrives on October 25. Throughout the livestream, Ballerini shared other details about creating the record, her upcoming album release show at Madison Square Garden in New York City, performing an unreleased song for the first time in front of Beyoncé, and much more, in addition to playing a few snippets of some unreleased Patterns tracks.

Ballerini’s sold-out, “one night only” Madison Square Garden show also includes sister duos Aly & AJ and Tigirlily Gold. Though the album release show is sold out, iHeartRadio is holding a contest to attend the concert and catch up with Ballerini in a backstage meet and greet. To enter to win, head over to the free iHeartRadio app, or click HERE for more info.

“The whole time I was making this album, I was visualizing and dreamscaping ways to bring it to life for our live show, and it was something I couldn't wait more than five days after its release to do,” Ballerini said in a statement. “When good things happen, when new chapters begin, you want to share them with your people. This time around, it just so happens to be in a bucket list venue in the heart of a city that is landmarked heavily in the music and visuals of PATTERNS. I'm so giddy to be celebrating this album release at Madison Square Garden...see you in New York City!”

Kathi Yeager